june 2023 |
All text by Zorek Richards
unless otherwise noted |
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| June 8, 2023 |
June 8, 2023: The Journal: Controversial US evangelist and Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson dies aged 93
PAT ROBERTSON, THE fire-and-brimstone evangelical preacher who helped turn America’s Christian conservatives into the powerful constituency they remain today, has died at the age of 93.
The longtime TV host, religious broadcaster and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a statement from the Christian Broadcasting Network.
PAT ROBERTSON, THE fire-and-brimstone evangelical preacher who helped turn America’s Christian conservatives into the powerful constituency they remain today, has died at the age of 93.
The longtime TV host, religious broadcaster and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a statement from the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Ichabod Spencer Files
Thoughtlessness is the common origin of unconcern. We do a far better office for men when we lead them to think, than when we think for them. A man’s own thoughts are the most powerful of all preaching. The Holy Spirit operates very much by leading men to reflection—to employ their own mind. I should hesitate to interrupt the religious reflections of any man in the world, by the most important thing I could say to him. If I am sure he will think, I will consent to be still. But men are prone to be thoughtless, and we must speak to them to lead them to reflection.
– Ichabod Spencer; A Pastor’s Sketches
– Ichabod Spencer; A Pastor’s Sketches
| June 7, 2023 |
June 7, 2023:
The first man who rejected Christianity, and then called himself a "free thinker," built an ideology better than he knew. If a man who rejects Christianity is a free thinker, the implication is that the man who accepts Christianity is a bound thinker--or one whose reason is in chains. It, of course, is not true. But....the "free thinker" is able to freely think what he will even if it is nonrational. He than can label it rational and call it good. "Free thinkers" as a philosophical viewpoint holds that beliefs should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or any other dogma. It is, however, a dogma eat dogma world and if one presses the ideological notions of a "freethinker" one will find that their foundation is based more in "anti-religionism" as opposed to anything really reasonably "free." And the "anti-religion" sentiment is generally mis-focused. They tend to target anything religious and ask, at the same time, how can all the religions be so divided on issues. It would seem to me that the sensible thing would be to attack the point of contention that bothers their ability to think if they are anywhere near or abouts something that might be remotely religious of nature. I cannot say that I have not heard any preacher say "do not think," but they have used it in context of a miss-applied definition of faith. However, if I was to deliver that message and say to a congregation "do not think," then unless I had a gun pointed to your head at the moment, you would still have your ability to think.
The first man who rejected Christianity, and then called himself a "free thinker," built an ideology better than he knew. If a man who rejects Christianity is a free thinker, the implication is that the man who accepts Christianity is a bound thinker--or one whose reason is in chains. It, of course, is not true. But....the "free thinker" is able to freely think what he will even if it is nonrational. He than can label it rational and call it good. "Free thinkers" as a philosophical viewpoint holds that beliefs should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or any other dogma. It is, however, a dogma eat dogma world and if one presses the ideological notions of a "freethinker" one will find that their foundation is based more in "anti-religionism" as opposed to anything really reasonably "free." And the "anti-religion" sentiment is generally mis-focused. They tend to target anything religious and ask, at the same time, how can all the religions be so divided on issues. It would seem to me that the sensible thing would be to attack the point of contention that bothers their ability to think if they are anywhere near or abouts something that might be remotely religious of nature. I cannot say that I have not heard any preacher say "do not think," but they have used it in context of a miss-applied definition of faith. However, if I was to deliver that message and say to a congregation "do not think," then unless I had a gun pointed to your head at the moment, you would still have your ability to think.
June 7, 2023: Washington Post: For many Southern Baptists, the only campaign question is which Republican candidate to support
Southern Baptists form a core part of the white evangelical Christian bloc that has reliably and overwhelmingly voted Republican in recent elections, and is expected to again in 2024.
Southern Baptists form a core part of the white evangelical Christian bloc that has reliably and overwhelmingly voted Republican in recent elections, and is expected to again in 2024.
| June 6, 2023 |
June 6, 2023:
Just less than 5 years ago the idea of banning books in America sounded just stupidly insane and most people thought it could never happen. But, the conservative right who has long held to the idea that history not ever be rewritten gave up that ideology and began banning books in order to get rid of books on LGBTQ and black history (as they have this misguided attack on the concept of "woke," which they do not even know what "woke" means. At a Town Hall this week Nikki Haley defined "woke" as "There's a lot of things. You want to start with biological boys playing in girl sports. That's one thing. The fact we have gender pronoun classes in the military now." Which it is not a "lot of things." (Woke is an adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination")
Now a Utah school district has decided to remove copies of the King James Bible from library shelves, after a parent alleged the religious text violated a recently passed state law banning inappropriate books.
Following a challenge in December, the Davis County school district reviewed the Bible for inappropriate material.
The committee found that while the King James Bible did contain “vulgarity and violence,” it didn’t technically run afoul of a 2022 book ban law. The district announced that those in middle and elementary school in about eight schools would lose access to the Bible, while high schoolers could still check it out from the library. Another district parent has challenged the conclusion of the school board’s review, and is seeking to get the Bible reinstated in Davis County schools. Critics argue Utah’s book ban law, part of a wave of such restrictions being passed across the country, has been used to single out materials that discuss racial diversity and LGBTQ+ identities.
Just less than 5 years ago the idea of banning books in America sounded just stupidly insane and most people thought it could never happen. But, the conservative right who has long held to the idea that history not ever be rewritten gave up that ideology and began banning books in order to get rid of books on LGBTQ and black history (as they have this misguided attack on the concept of "woke," which they do not even know what "woke" means. At a Town Hall this week Nikki Haley defined "woke" as "There's a lot of things. You want to start with biological boys playing in girl sports. That's one thing. The fact we have gender pronoun classes in the military now." Which it is not a "lot of things." (Woke is an adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination")
Now a Utah school district has decided to remove copies of the King James Bible from library shelves, after a parent alleged the religious text violated a recently passed state law banning inappropriate books.
Following a challenge in December, the Davis County school district reviewed the Bible for inappropriate material.
The committee found that while the King James Bible did contain “vulgarity and violence,” it didn’t technically run afoul of a 2022 book ban law. The district announced that those in middle and elementary school in about eight schools would lose access to the Bible, while high schoolers could still check it out from the library. Another district parent has challenged the conclusion of the school board’s review, and is seeking to get the Bible reinstated in Davis County schools. Critics argue Utah’s book ban law, part of a wave of such restrictions being passed across the country, has been used to single out materials that discuss racial diversity and LGBTQ+ identities.
June 6, 2023: Roys Report: Rick Warren Campaigns for Southern Baptist Reinstatement of Saddleback Church
Days before the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, former megachurch pastor Rick Warren has appealed to his fellow Southern Baptists to overturn a denominational decision to oust his Saddleback Church because it permits women to serve with the title pastor.
“This should be the moment where 47,000+ autonomous, independent, freedom-loving churches say NO to turning the Executive Committee into a theological Magisterium that controls a perpetual inquisition of churches and makes the EC a centralized hierarchy that tells our congregations who to hire and what to call them,” Warren wrote in an open letter released Friday.
Days before the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, former megachurch pastor Rick Warren has appealed to his fellow Southern Baptists to overturn a denominational decision to oust his Saddleback Church because it permits women to serve with the title pastor.
“This should be the moment where 47,000+ autonomous, independent, freedom-loving churches say NO to turning the Executive Committee into a theological Magisterium that controls a perpetual inquisition of churches and makes the EC a centralized hierarchy that tells our congregations who to hire and what to call them,” Warren wrote in an open letter released Friday.
| June 5, 2023 |
Susan Stubson
“What Christian nationalism has done to my state and my faith is a sin....Christian nationalists have hijacked both my Republican Party and my faith community by blurring the lines between church and government and in the process rebranding our state’s identity”
-Susan Stubson; New York Times 6.5.23
Susan Stubson
“Some elite Republicans are shocked, shocked, to discover the ugliness lurking in the party. Figures from Peggy Noonan to Colin Powell cannot believe it! The party of the city on a hill is turning vulgar! The only card left in the Republican deck is straight out of the religious right’s 30-year-old battle plan, which the GOP has warmly embraced since Reagan. The Republican Party has validated the religious right’s mythology of Christian nationhood, cowed to its authoritarian litmus test, and made demagoguery not only fashionable but heroic.”
-Susan Stubson; New York Times 6.5.23
-Susan Stubson; New York Times 6.5.23
June 5, 2023: AZ Mirror: AZ GOP senator proudly flies flag adopted by ‘fringe’ far-right extremists
Janae Shamp says she displays the flag because of its historical ties and doesn’t care that it’s used by far-right extremist groups. A West Valley Republican state senator proudly displays a flag tied to Christian nationalism and other extremist movements on her desk on the floor of the Arizona Senate, though she says she has embraced the symbol for its historical meaning and doesn’t care that “fringe groups” have adopted it.
Janae Shamp says she displays the flag because of its historical ties and doesn’t care that it’s used by far-right extremist groups. A West Valley Republican state senator proudly displays a flag tied to Christian nationalism and other extremist movements on her desk on the floor of the Arizona Senate, though she says she has embraced the symbol for its historical meaning and doesn’t care that “fringe groups” have adopted it.
| June 4, 2023 |
June 4, 2023: Kentucky Today: Randy McPheron to be nominated as next KBC president
Randy McPheron, an associational mission strategist who also serves as an itinerant evangelist and has pastored for 25 years, will be nominated as the next president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Randy McPheron, an associational mission strategist who also serves as an itinerant evangelist and has pastored for 25 years, will be nominated as the next president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
June 4, 2023: Kentucky Today: SBC presidential candidates hold variety of views on looming issues
As we approach this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans (June 13–14), The Baptist Paper has compiled comments from both of this year’s SBC presidential candidates. Right now, there are two candidates who have announced their intentions to be nominated for SBC president — incumbent Bart Barber and Georgia pastor Mike Stone. See more on both candidates below.
As we approach this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans (June 13–14), The Baptist Paper has compiled comments from both of this year’s SBC presidential candidates. Right now, there are two candidates who have announced their intentions to be nominated for SBC president — incumbent Bart Barber and Georgia pastor Mike Stone. See more on both candidates below.
| June 3, 2023 |
Nathan Empsall
"Certainly, as patriotic Americans, we can and do honor our nation's flag, and as Christians, we venerate Christ before the cross—but while both objects are of great importance to us, only one is godly and only one is part of our faith..It's absolutely heartbreaking to see so many far-right politicians and pastors go a different direction, twisting the Gospel to seize power at any cost, attack equal rights, demonize their opponents, and spread dangerous conspiracy theories.. Toxic Christian nationalism is the single biggest threat to both democracy and the church, and we pastors have a moral obligation to loudly oppose it as a dangerous hijacking of our faith."
--Rev. Nathan Empsall; Faithful America; 6.3.23
--Rev. Nathan Empsall; Faithful America; 6.3.23
| June 2, 2023 |
Kirk Cameron Files
TBN has a large range of shows that blend Christian lifestyle and talk show-style programming with politics, news, and religion. Takeaways with Kirk Cameron is one such show that sometimes crosses the threshold of Christian media into Christian nationalist propaganda.
In one episode, Cameron incorrectly claimed U.S. culture was rooted in the Bible: “We’ve got an incredible legacy and an incredible culture here, and it's rooted in the Bible. And if we turn back to thinking biblically, I think that we can again see the fruit of liberty and justice and the fruit of the spirit characterizing the country."
In another, Cameron gushed over the National Monument to the Forefathers, a relatively unknown monument in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrating the Mayflower Pilgrims. Cameron praised the monument for supposedly representing that “man's laws must always line up under God's laws or they're not good laws.” (Cameron appears to have fixated on this monument, creating a full movie about it and selling replicas from his online store.)
Cameron has a history of promoting Christian nationalism both on and off TBN. He is currently pushing a campaign against local libraries that involves reading conservative children’s books to “win back Story Hour and stand up for truth and Biblical values.” The books are intended to instill “pro-God, Pro-America” values, and Cameron has threatened to sue “woke libraries” if he is unable to read them. --Emma Mae Webber; Media Matters; June 2, 2023
In one episode, Cameron incorrectly claimed U.S. culture was rooted in the Bible: “We’ve got an incredible legacy and an incredible culture here, and it's rooted in the Bible. And if we turn back to thinking biblically, I think that we can again see the fruit of liberty and justice and the fruit of the spirit characterizing the country."
In another, Cameron gushed over the National Monument to the Forefathers, a relatively unknown monument in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrating the Mayflower Pilgrims. Cameron praised the monument for supposedly representing that “man's laws must always line up under God's laws or they're not good laws.” (Cameron appears to have fixated on this monument, creating a full movie about it and selling replicas from his online store.)
Cameron has a history of promoting Christian nationalism both on and off TBN. He is currently pushing a campaign against local libraries that involves reading conservative children’s books to “win back Story Hour and stand up for truth and Biblical values.” The books are intended to instill “pro-God, Pro-America” values, and Cameron has threatened to sue “woke libraries” if he is unable to read them. --Emma Mae Webber; Media Matters; June 2, 2023
June 2, 2023:
"The beginning of the age of the Church is described in the Acts of the Apostles. The end of the Church age is set forth in the Epistle of Jude, which might as well be called the Acts of the Apostates. The first book which can properly be said to contain Church history describes the deeds and teachings of men of God whom Christ began to build His church. The last epistle of the New Testament relates the deeds and teaching of evil men who will be living upon the earth as the history of the professing church comes to an end. These "apostates" will be coming from the modern church...and using what I call "Christianese" which uses Christian language to seduce the weak and will likely communicate a message which implies that they have the ear of God..but they won't and don't.
Jude 3-7:
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Our response to these events: If that age is upon us..is to stay awake and "keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Jude 20-22:
"The beginning of the age of the Church is described in the Acts of the Apostles. The end of the Church age is set forth in the Epistle of Jude, which might as well be called the Acts of the Apostates. The first book which can properly be said to contain Church history describes the deeds and teachings of men of God whom Christ began to build His church. The last epistle of the New Testament relates the deeds and teaching of evil men who will be living upon the earth as the history of the professing church comes to an end. These "apostates" will be coming from the modern church...and using what I call "Christianese" which uses Christian language to seduce the weak and will likely communicate a message which implies that they have the ear of God..but they won't and don't.
Jude 3-7:
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Our response to these events: If that age is upon us..is to stay awake and "keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Jude 20-22:
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
It is often repeated that He will come like a thief in the night. and thieves generally catch folks unaware. But we were warned. We know better. Keep praying.
Jude has been one of those books I rarely paid much attention to probably because of its size (25 verses). But, it is a very NOW book. For me: Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, Ephesians & now Jude are always at the top of my reading lists.
SideNote: Jude 7 notes that "sexual perversions" will be part of their downfall. On an average day I read dozens of daily news briefs from Christian and some secular sources. I have noticed a very big rise in pastors and church leaders falling into sexual perversion. From Hillsong to the Southern Baptist Convention and the awful news about Ravi Zacharias (which came to the surface after he died)....and beyond....
Writing to Judge Kaplan, James H Brady ( A Trump cohort) said: "I am making this motion to intervene in the case of Carroll v. Trump, 20-cv-7311, because I am unwilling to sit silent and watch another white Christian be treated as poorly and unfairly as I personally have been treated in the New York State and Federal Courts."
Judge Kaplan replied in less than 24 hours, telling Brady, "There are only two legal bases on which one may intervene in a civil action. The first is intervention as of right, which is available only to one who 'is given an unconditional right to intervene by a federal statute' or 'claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action, and is so situated that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the movant's ability to protect its interest, unless the existing parties adequately represent that interest.'"
The video player is currently playing an ad.He goes on to say the second is "by permission of the court, which in an appropriate case may be granted if the putative intervenor 'is given a conditional right by a federal statute' or 'has a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact.' Mr. Brady does not satisfy any of these criteria. Accordingly, this motion is denied."
It is often repeated that He will come like a thief in the night. and thieves generally catch folks unaware. But we were warned. We know better. Keep praying.
Jude has been one of those books I rarely paid much attention to probably because of its size (25 verses). But, it is a very NOW book. For me: Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, Ephesians & now Jude are always at the top of my reading lists.
SideNote: Jude 7 notes that "sexual perversions" will be part of their downfall. On an average day I read dozens of daily news briefs from Christian and some secular sources. I have noticed a very big rise in pastors and church leaders falling into sexual perversion. From Hillsong to the Southern Baptist Convention and the awful news about Ravi Zacharias (which came to the surface after he died)....and beyond....
Writing to Judge Kaplan, James H Brady ( A Trump cohort) said: "I am making this motion to intervene in the case of Carroll v. Trump, 20-cv-7311, because I am unwilling to sit silent and watch another white Christian be treated as poorly and unfairly as I personally have been treated in the New York State and Federal Courts."
Judge Kaplan replied in less than 24 hours, telling Brady, "There are only two legal bases on which one may intervene in a civil action. The first is intervention as of right, which is available only to one who 'is given an unconditional right to intervene by a federal statute' or 'claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action, and is so situated that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the movant's ability to protect its interest, unless the existing parties adequately represent that interest.'"
The video player is currently playing an ad.He goes on to say the second is "by permission of the court, which in an appropriate case may be granted if the putative intervenor 'is given a conditional right by a federal statute' or 'has a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact.' Mr. Brady does not satisfy any of these criteria. Accordingly, this motion is denied."
Writing to Judge Kaplan, James H Brady ( A Trump cohort) said: "I am making this motion to intervene in the case of Carroll v. Trump, 20-cv-7311, because I am unwilling to sit silent and watch another white Christian be treated as poorly and unfairly as I personally have been treated in the New York State and Federal Courts."
Judge Kaplan replied in less than 24 hours, telling Brady, "There are only two legal bases on which one may intervene in a civil action. The first is intervention as of right, which is available only to one who 'is given an unconditional right to intervene by a federal statute' or 'claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action, and is so situated that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the movant's ability to protect its interest, unless the existing parties adequately represent that interest.'" He goes on to say the second is "by permission of the court, which in an appropriate case may be granted if the putative intervenor 'is given a conditional right by a federal statute' or 'has a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact.' Mr. Brady does not satisfy any of these criteria. Accordingly, this motion is denied." (SOURCE: Raw Story)
Judge Kaplan replied in less than 24 hours, telling Brady, "There are only two legal bases on which one may intervene in a civil action. The first is intervention as of right, which is available only to one who 'is given an unconditional right to intervene by a federal statute' or 'claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action, and is so situated that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the movant's ability to protect its interest, unless the existing parties adequately represent that interest.'" He goes on to say the second is "by permission of the court, which in an appropriate case may be granted if the putative intervenor 'is given a conditional right by a federal statute' or 'has a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact.' Mr. Brady does not satisfy any of these criteria. Accordingly, this motion is denied." (SOURCE: Raw Story)
June 2, 2023: Roys Report: Chi Alpha ‘Mentor’ Daniel Savala Arrested on Sex Abuse Charges
Daniel Savala, who’s accused of sexually abusing multiple men in the Assemblies of God’s Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, has been arrested in Houston on sex abuse charges involving minors.
Daniel Savala, who’s accused of sexually abusing multiple men in the Assemblies of God’s Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, has been arrested in Houston on sex abuse charges involving minors.
June 2, 2023: Media Matters: American theocracy: Trinity Broadcasting Network’s nightly news program is spreading Christian nationalism
Trinity Broadcasting Network’s nightly news program Centerpoint repeatedly promoted Christian nationalism. Anchors and guests argue that the U.S. is a fundamentally Christian nation and encourage viewers to support Donald Trump in order to fulfill God’s wishes.
TBN is an explicitly Christian broadcaster known globally for its televangelism and Christian lifestyle content. The network reaches around 95 million households via satellite, broadcasts 14 languages across 175 countries, and contains an extensive streaming portfolio. In 2022, TBN set its sights on a new type of programming ahead of the 2024 election: news.
Trinity Broadcasting Network’s nightly news program Centerpoint repeatedly promoted Christian nationalism. Anchors and guests argue that the U.S. is a fundamentally Christian nation and encourage viewers to support Donald Trump in order to fulfill God’s wishes.
TBN is an explicitly Christian broadcaster known globally for its televangelism and Christian lifestyle content. The network reaches around 95 million households via satellite, broadcasts 14 languages across 175 countries, and contains an extensive streaming portfolio. In 2022, TBN set its sights on a new type of programming ahead of the 2024 election: news.
June 2, 2023: Charisma: ORU Celebrates 10 Years of Billy Wilson’s ‘Transformative Leadership’
Since Dr. Billy Wilson took office as Oral Roberts University’s fourth president in June 2013, the Christian university not only has continued its commitment to excellence in education, but it has seen a great deal of positive growth toward a bright future.
Since Dr. Billy Wilson took office as Oral Roberts University’s fourth president in June 2013, the Christian university not only has continued its commitment to excellence in education, but it has seen a great deal of positive growth toward a bright future.
June 2, 2023: Media Matters: Fox’s Jeanine Pirro appears on Christian nationalist program FlashPoint to warn of “takedown of religion” in America
Pirro, who currently co-hosts Fox’s top-rated program The Five, appeared on the May 30 edition of FlashPoint, where the host, megapastor Gene Bailey, noted that his audience is “mainly conservative Christians” and that the show is not “fair and balanced,” adding, “We're the — way to the right of center. We’re unabashedly bold about who we are.” (Unlike Fox’s former motto “fair and balanced.”) The host asked Pirro: “When you see the left and what they’re doing, what is it you think … our audience needs to know that you feel like most of America doesn't understand about this current situation?”
Pirro, who currently co-hosts Fox’s top-rated program The Five, appeared on the May 30 edition of FlashPoint, where the host, megapastor Gene Bailey, noted that his audience is “mainly conservative Christians” and that the show is not “fair and balanced,” adding, “We're the — way to the right of center. We’re unabashedly bold about who we are.” (Unlike Fox’s former motto “fair and balanced.”) The host asked Pirro: “When you see the left and what they’re doing, what is it you think … our audience needs to know that you feel like most of America doesn't understand about this current situation?”
Jeanine Pirro
".......look, this country was found on the Judeo-Christian ethics. We, you know, when I was the judge in my courtroom above my bench, it said “In God we trust.” I think that America is moving so far from that foundation that we are in a dangerous point that every person who is a person of religion or a person of God understands the inherent dangers of what is happening in America today.
We are flirting with the kind of destiny that only destroyed nations and fallen empires find themselves in. And so that's why I wrote the book Crimes Against America. What the left is doing to our children in schools and to Americans across the board, and especially to those believers, people who believed in God and are faith-driven, is it is destroying them.
And, you know, we saw it with the Dobbs decision. When our own Department of Justice would not follow its own rules of making an arrest of anyone who is parading or protesting in front of a Supreme Court justice’s home in the hope of getting them to change their opinion. Not one of those people was arrested, but you could rest assured that everyone, everyone who was involved in any way — and some of them who were clearly innocent and found to be not guilty by juries later — who got involved in any kind of pro-choice objection ended up being arrested and ended up being prosecuted.
But any of the pro-life centers or the pregnancy centers, any of the attacks on them were not even — they were not even investigated. And so, when you look at what is happening, the takedown of religion in America, it forebodes a very difficult future. And I think that people of faith need to worry about not just what's being taught in schools in terms of transgender nonsense, but what is happening in our society today against religion." --Jeanine Pirro; Flashpoint w/Pastor Gene Bailey
We are flirting with the kind of destiny that only destroyed nations and fallen empires find themselves in. And so that's why I wrote the book Crimes Against America. What the left is doing to our children in schools and to Americans across the board, and especially to those believers, people who believed in God and are faith-driven, is it is destroying them.
And, you know, we saw it with the Dobbs decision. When our own Department of Justice would not follow its own rules of making an arrest of anyone who is parading or protesting in front of a Supreme Court justice’s home in the hope of getting them to change their opinion. Not one of those people was arrested, but you could rest assured that everyone, everyone who was involved in any way — and some of them who were clearly innocent and found to be not guilty by juries later — who got involved in any kind of pro-choice objection ended up being arrested and ended up being prosecuted.
But any of the pro-life centers or the pregnancy centers, any of the attacks on them were not even — they were not even investigated. And so, when you look at what is happening, the takedown of religion in America, it forebodes a very difficult future. And I think that people of faith need to worry about not just what's being taught in schools in terms of transgender nonsense, but what is happening in our society today against religion." --Jeanine Pirro; Flashpoint w/Pastor Gene Bailey
| June 1, 2023 |
June 1, 2023:
Women of Welcome is a collaborative partnership between the National Immigration Forum and World Relief, one of six faith-based agencies contracted with the US Government to resettle refugees in the country, aiming to help evangelical women understand immigration and refugee resettlement from a Biblical perspective.
As attention turns to the border with the end of Title 42 and with new policies restricting US entry for asylum-seekers, the head of the organisation says she believes those women are changing the conversation among evangelicals.
“This is why I am confident that this community of women is going to change the dynamic in the immigration space - I’m 100 per cent sure of it - because of the women who are in our community and the growth that has happened with the women in the community,” said Bri Stensrud, director of Women of Welcome.
The organisation was founded in 2017 after rhetoric around immigrants and refugees became “inflamed” and “dehumanising” during former President Donald Trump’s first campaign for office, Stensrud said. Previous polling by Lifeway Research showed evangelicals’ views about immigration were being shaped more by the media than by the Bible, she pointed out.
Research also showed evangelical women were more supportive than their male counterparts of policies impacting immigrants and refugees, said Matthew Soerens, US director of church mobilisation for World Relief. Women also expressed more ambiguity - voicing concerns about security alongside values like hospitality and compassion, Soerens said. More at Sight Magazine
Women of Welcome is a collaborative partnership between the National Immigration Forum and World Relief, one of six faith-based agencies contracted with the US Government to resettle refugees in the country, aiming to help evangelical women understand immigration and refugee resettlement from a Biblical perspective.
As attention turns to the border with the end of Title 42 and with new policies restricting US entry for asylum-seekers, the head of the organisation says she believes those women are changing the conversation among evangelicals.
“This is why I am confident that this community of women is going to change the dynamic in the immigration space - I’m 100 per cent sure of it - because of the women who are in our community and the growth that has happened with the women in the community,” said Bri Stensrud, director of Women of Welcome.
The organisation was founded in 2017 after rhetoric around immigrants and refugees became “inflamed” and “dehumanising” during former President Donald Trump’s first campaign for office, Stensrud said. Previous polling by Lifeway Research showed evangelicals’ views about immigration were being shaped more by the media than by the Bible, she pointed out.
Research also showed evangelical women were more supportive than their male counterparts of policies impacting immigrants and refugees, said Matthew Soerens, US director of church mobilisation for World Relief. Women also expressed more ambiguity - voicing concerns about security alongside values like hospitality and compassion, Soerens said. More at Sight Magazine
June 1, 2023: Newsmax: Eric Metaxas to Newsmax: 'Despicable' for Dodgers to Mock Christianity
Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers are cowards for permitting the anti-Christian, LGBTQ group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to its Pride Night celebration, conservative author and radio host Eric Metaxas told Newsmax on Wednesday.
Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers are cowards for permitting the anti-Christian, LGBTQ group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to its Pride Night celebration, conservative author and radio host Eric Metaxas told Newsmax on Wednesday.
June 1, 2023: Christian Post: Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing apologizes for 'disgusting' piece criticizing 'The Chosen'
Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing apologized for an article the publication ran criticizing “The Chosen” after an LGBT flag was seen on the set in a video promoting the popular fictional series about the lives of Jesus' disciples.
Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing apologized for an article the publication ran criticizing “The Chosen” after an LGBT flag was seen on the set in a video promoting the popular fictional series about the lives of Jesus' disciples.
June 1, 2023: Tulsa World: 'This is what God put her on earth to do — empower young females.'
“This is what God put her on earth to do — empower young females and to show God’s love in everything she does. You’ve seen it for 30 years now, making them into great moms and great people in society."
“This is what God put her on earth to do — empower young females and to show God’s love in everything she does. You’ve seen it for 30 years now, making them into great moms and great people in society."
We all know that life is incredibly complex. Politics are incredibly complex. Anytime someone makes things overly simplistic we’re doing ourselves and others a disservice. I don’t want to make it sound like it’s an easy formula by any means.
We have a very elevated perspective of Dr. King. Very well-loved, one of the most respected people in the world today. And a lot of folks don’t realize that during the height of his public ministry, he was according to one poll, “the most detested person in America”. The last Gallup poll before he was assassinated, his unfavorables were in the 60s. I think we have a tendency of sanitizing and Disney-izing his ministry. There was a cost to it. I think in that same way when we’re pursuing certain things — when we’re pursuing justice, pursuing God’s Kingdom — I think that there is going to be a cost. At times there might be good responses. At others, there might be really strong pushback as well. -Eugene Cho; Relevant; 6.1.23
We have a very elevated perspective of Dr. King. Very well-loved, one of the most respected people in the world today. And a lot of folks don’t realize that during the height of his public ministry, he was according to one poll, “the most detested person in America”. The last Gallup poll before he was assassinated, his unfavorables were in the 60s. I think we have a tendency of sanitizing and Disney-izing his ministry. There was a cost to it. I think in that same way when we’re pursuing certain things — when we’re pursuing justice, pursuing God’s Kingdom — I think that there is going to be a cost. At times there might be good responses. At others, there might be really strong pushback as well. -Eugene Cho; Relevant; 6.1.23
June 1, 2023: Raw Story: 'Tell it to God': Evangelical pastor spars with Ted Cruz over Uganda’s 'Kill the Gays' law
As The Daily Beast first reported, Tom Ascol, the senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, blasted the Texas Republican Senator, who surprised many when he called Uganda’s new “Kill the Gays” law “horrific & wrong.”
As The Daily Beast first reported, Tom Ascol, the senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, blasted the Texas Republican Senator, who surprised many when he called Uganda’s new “Kill the Gays” law “horrific & wrong.”
Tom Ascol
"Amazing how many professing Christians, even self-designated ‘conservative’ ones, are embarrassed by God’s Word. Just quote some unpopular words of God & watch what happens. Many so-called Christians react the same way that unashamed unbelievers do. It’s a commentary.” -Tom Ascol; Cape Coral Florida 6.1.23